Gallaudet celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

On campus and across the nation, we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. At Gallaudet, our celebration of the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic/Latine Americans during this period is uniquely enhanced by the infusion of Deafcentric perspectives. Many of our events this month are hosted by Nuestra Casa, our new Center for Latine Deaf Studies.  

September 15 is a significant day for Hispanic Latine people because it is the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. 

Gallaudet’s Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Excellence (DEDI) welcomes the presence of the newly established Nuestra Casa. In a campus-wide message last week, Dr. Jeremy L. Brunson, Interim Chief Diversity Officer, shared this message from Nuestra Casa: 

Nuestra Casa, known as the Center for Latine Deaf Studies, is thrilled to be finally here! The center will support teaching, learning, and research in Latine Deaf Studies and other disciplines such as history, literature, psychology, and more. At Nuestra Casa, we are opening our doors to our shared heritage while also serving as a place where the rich tapestry of our stories, traditions, and experiences are told and recorded. Nuestra Casa is only a month old, and we are already busy with setting up and planning events

Nuestra Casa also wants to uplift the community with this quotation from the acclaimed guitarist Carlos Santana: “The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.”

Nuestra Casa held a meet and greet on September 21, open to the public, and a similar event on September 22 open to Latine students, faculty, and staff.

“Jueves con Dr. Torres,” an informal weekly chat with Dr. Franklin C. Torres, Associate Professor of English, begins on September 28. This is open to undergraduate and graduate Latine students. Nuestra Casa is holding a logo contest, open to Latine students, with an October 6 deadline. Their Instagram account is @gallaudetnuestracasa. 

Several other organizations are holding events in addition to Nuestra Casa, including the Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Excellence; Multicultural Student Programs (MSP), Latinx Student Union (LSU), Global Student Association Gallaudet University (GLSA), Student Body Government (SBG), and the Latino Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association of the Metropolitan DC Area (LDHH). 

Brunson invites the community to join Gallaudet in its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Watch Dr. Brunson’s community announcement in American Sign Language.